A formal complaint has been submitted to the Chief Commissioner of Land Administration (CCLA), Government of Andhra Pradesh, seeking immediate action against a Village Revenue Officer (VRO) in Bapatla district over allegations of fraudulent availing of Scheduled Caste (SC) reservation despite professing Christianity by NGO watchdog Legal Rights Protection Forum (LRPF).
The complaint pertains to Puli Seethaiah, currently serving as VRO at Champadu in Vemuru Mandal, Bapatla district. It has been alleged that he secured public employment under the Scheduled Caste quota but is no longer eligible to claim such benefits due to his professed adherence to Christianity.
According to the complaint, documentary evidence establishes that Seethaiah solemnized his marriage under Christian rites in accordance with the provisions of the Indian Christian Marriage Act, 1872. It has been stated that he married Smt. Yalavarthi Sri Lakshmi on 25 August 2022, at Jampani village in Bapatla district.
Official records indicate that the marriage was conducted by Pastor Rev. Sandrapati Yohan of the Telugu Baptist Church. A written confirmation dated 12 May 2025, issued by the pastor affirmed that the marriage was solemnized as per Christian customs. This communication was addressed to the District Minority Welfare Officer, Guntur, and was acknowledged through official proceedings dated 14 May 2025, with copies forwarded to relevant state authorities.
Further, as per the proceedings issued by the District Registrar, Bapatla, dated 25 June 2025, confirmed the registration of the marriage. As seen in the official document, the Registrar recorded that the marriage between Puli Seethaiah and Smt. Yalavarthi Sri Lakshmi was solemnized under Sections 32 and 54 of the Indian Christian Marriage Act, 1872, and that the marriage certificate (Sl. No. 43) issued by the Minorities Welfare Department on August 25, 2022, had been formally filed with the Registrar’s office on 7 December 2022.
The complaint asserts that by entering into a Christian marriage and professing Christianity, Seethaiah has voluntarily subjected himself to Christian personal law, thereby rendering himself ineligible to continue availing benefits reserved for Scheduled Castes under the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950.
It has been contended that individuals professing Christianity are not entitled to Scheduled Caste status, and therefore, his continued service in a post obtained under the SC quota constitutes a violation of constitutional provisions and deprives eligible candidates of rightful opportunities.
The complainant has urged authorities to initiate an immediate and time-bound inquiry to verify the caste status of the official. It has been further requested that, upon confirmation of the allegations, Seethaiah be terminated from service for having secured employment under false eligibility and for continuing to avail reservation benefits unlawfully.
In addition to action against the officer, the complaint has also sought accountability from the authorities responsible for issuing the Scheduled Caste certificate. It has called for disciplinary and legal action against officials who may have facilitated the issuance of the certificate despite alleged ineligibility.
The complaint has emphasised that the issue raises serious concerns regarding the integrity of the reservation system and has called for strict and exemplary action to prevent similar instances in the future.
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